MULTAN: The Multan teen worker case moved forward on Tuesday as police arrested a contractor after a 15-year-old boy was allegedly run over and killed by his employer following a workplace dispute in a private housing society. A court granted the suspect four days of physical remand on Tuesday.
Waseem Abbas had been living at an orphanage for five years and wanted to learn electrical work, according to Shoaib Haider, the orphanage’s general secretary. The orphanage had sent him to contractor Tauqeer Nazir six days earlier to learn the trade.
The incident took place within the jurisdiction of the DHA police station. Rescue officials said Waseem suffered a severe head injury and died at the scene. His body was shifted to Nishtar Hospital, Multan, under police supervision.
Police arrested suspect Tauqeer and registered a case. He was presented before Judicial Magistrate Saadia Aslam, who granted him four days of physical remand. When Tauqeer was brought before the court, lawyers assaulted him outside the courtroom despite the presence of police.
Multan teen worker case: what the FIR alleges
The FIR, registered on Monday, names Tauqeer Nazir and Amjad Ali as suspects and invokes Sections 302 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Section 302 covers intentional killing and carries the death penalty or life imprisonment on conviction; Section 34 applies when a criminal act is done by several persons in furtherance of their common intention, making each participant liable as if they acted alone.
The FIR alleged that the two men pursued Waseem in a car and deliberately ran him over, causing fatal head injuries. According to the report, Sub-Inspector Liaquat Ali Bhatti was on patrol in Royal Orchard when Mukhtiar Ahmed approached at around 4:35pm and said his cousin Waseem had been working as an electrician for the suspects, who had allegedly subjected him to violence and threatened to kill him.
Waseem fled to a neighbouring street to escape the alleged abuse, while the suspects pursued him in a Honda vehicle bearing registration number BVE-474. The FIR alleged his head struck a pillar at the gate of house 3-A, crushing his skull. Witnesses told police Waseem had said the suspects wanted to kill him and that he was running to save his life.
The vehicle stopped after the incident and the suspects attempted to flee. Tauqeer was apprehended at the scene while Amjad escaped, and police took the vehicle into custody as evidence.
A boy sent to learn a trade
Waseem’s background has drawn attention to how vulnerable children are placed in workplaces. He had lived at the orphanage for five years. His cousin Nadeem, also a resident, said the boy had often been reluctant to go to the electrician, saying he wanted to return home.
Waseem’s uncle, Jafar Hussain, told the media that the boy’s father had died nine years ago, and that Waseem was later admitted to the orphanage. “Tauqeer deliberately killed my nephew. I know what condition Waseem was in and how I saw him,” Hussain said, demanding justice. Waseem’s maternal grandfather said he had wanted the boy to receive an education rather than struggle on the streets.
Haider said the orphanage had sent Waseem to Tauqeer after inquiries about the contractor, who had a team of around 40 to 45 boys. Another boy from the facility had also been working for the contractor, but the orphanage brought him back after the incident. Tauqeer claimed his car had slipped while following Waseem — but Haider said the video footage did not appear to support that.
Waseem’s funeral prayers were held at around 2am in Mouza Daulatpur, and he was buried in his ancestral graveyard. Only close relatives and orphanage officials attended.
The case has renewed questions about the safety of children placed in informal apprenticeships. Pakistani law restricts the employment of children, and the circumstances of a 15-year-old being sent to work under a contractor with dozens of boys will likely face scrutiny as the investigation proceeds. This is the second fatal Multan incident this week after five people died when a car overturned.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in Multan?
Fifteen-year-old Waseem Abbas was allegedly chased in a car and run over by his employer, contractor Tauqeer Nazir, after trying to leave his electrical-work job. He died at the scene from head injuries.
What is the legal status of the case?
Police registered an FIR under PPC Sections 302 (intentional killing) and 34 (common intention) against Tauqeer Nazir and Amjad Ali. Tauqeer was arrested and granted four days’ physical remand; Amjad remains at large.
Who was Waseem Abbas?
A 15-year-old orphanage resident whose father died nine years ago. The orphanage had sent him to the contractor six days earlier to learn electrical work.
